YouSaid · the spoken record

Rosenthal

lines on the record: 930
first: 2000-03-23
most recent: 2017-08-29
sittings or episodes: 146
sources: un-security-council

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“That includes confronting the transnational problem of drug trafficking that plagues the country and the region. We applaud the long-term commitment of the United Nations to cooperating with the Government and people of Afghanistan. We lend our full support to the excellent work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We would like to make a few points about the UNAMA mandate. First of all, we endorse the recommendations of the mandate review team, which include the United Nations taking the role of facilitator rather than implementer. Secondly, we support extending UNAMA's mandate for an additional 12 months.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“We welcome the process, building on commitments previously undertaken in London and Kabul, as well as a structured follow-up and a clear timetable for its implementation. The upcoming regional conferences in Tokyo and Kabul will provide further opportunities for progress. We encourage all to carry on with the road map and not to be sidetracked from the successes achieved through cooperation between the international community and Afghanistan. We must not lose sight of the big picture, even as we recognize that much remains to be done. Guatemala supports the transition under the leadership and ownership of Afghanistan, even as we acknowledge the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“Progress must be made simultaneously on political stabilization, security, development and the rule of law. We are concerned that the security situation remains problematic. We especially regret the frequent bloody incidents with civilian victims. The international community must redouble its efforts to support the Afghan Government in achieving sufficient stability to move towards the gradual transfer of security maintenance to the Government. We support the long-term commitments taken on by the international community at the Bonn Conference last December, aimed at spurring political development in the country, which depends, inter alia, on reconciliation among various groups of the population.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2012/l33), which is the basis for today's meeting. We also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jan Kubis and the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Ambassador Zahir Tanin, for their respective briefings. Guatemala supports Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve democracy, prosperity and peace. As we all know, Afghanistan has been on the agendas of the Security Council and the international community for many years. Many conferences have been convened to mobilize resources and take steps towards peaceful reconstruction of the country and a better life for its people. The endeavour is a complex one whose execution falls to the Afghan people themselves.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“Finally, we take note of paragraph 56 of the report and of the initial steps taken by the Government to contain the emergence of uniformed militias that are organized without official approval. These observations are also based on our recent visit to Haiti in February. The international community, in particular the countries of Latin America and from the Caribbean, have a clear stake in Haiti's success and we fully commit to continuing to support the process of political, economic and social development. I recall that, while the international community is willing to play a supporting role, the primary responsibility rests first and foremost with the Haitians themselves.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“It is now broadly acknowledged that security gains could be undermined by weak socio-economic development and governance and that, consequently, there is a need for a balanced approach to security and non-security considerations. The report before us reminds us of the important role that MINUSTAH fulfils in Haiti, particularly on the security front. It is understood that peacekeepers cannot remain in Haiti in perpetuity, but it is equally important not to abandon Haiti prematurely. We look forward in the following months to receiving detailed information on the request made to the Secretary-General in paragraph 24 of resolution 2012 (2011) concerning a comprehensive assessment of threats to security in Haiti, including options, as appropriate, to reconfigure the composition of MINUSTAH.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“This brings me to the matter of the remaining internally displaced persons camps. We appreciate the 19 per cent reduction of the total number of persons in camps cited in the report. We also support enhanced efforts to protect vulnerable groups exposed to the cholera epidemic, food insecurity and gender-based violence, among other threats. However, we believe that more must be done to adopt a comprehensive camp closure plan and to find alternative long-term housing and sites. We note that, on average, displaced persons in Africa spend well over a decade in temporary settlements. Unless this remains a priority, we risk replicating that distressing situation in Haiti. The third concern is security, a subject to which my previous remarks were also related.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“We believe that the added value of that mechanism is unique, not only for the donor community but in particular for Haiti. The Government is an essential player in attempts to rebuild a country. The Commission makes it easier to take the Haitian view as the basis of its proposals. We further believe that the public sector must be strengthened and that international assistance should take that carefully into account. The Commission offers a practical, transparent and inclusive solution to closing the gap between existing capacities and the unmet needs of the Haitian people. Although it is currently intended to be an interim commission, its establishment as a long-term institution should be considered so that the country has a national focal point through which to channel international assistance.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Its temporary nature should not prevent the preservation of the know-how and technical capacity for future elections. In that respect, it would be worth considering the establishment of a permanent support office to this effect. On the other hand, if the idea of a permanent electoral council evolves, it is of utmost importance to guarantee its independence. At the same time, we invite the Government to begin engaging with MINUSTAH to take the logistical, operational and concrete measures necessary for the preparation for holding these elections. The second area of concern is recovery and reconstruction efforts. I stress the importance of renewing the mandate of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission that expired last October.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Obviously, the absence of a duly constituted Government adversely impacts decision-making on key issues. At the same time, the experience of recent decades in Haiti has shown that the holding of elections and democratic governance, in accordance with the Constitution, are the only way to achieve long-term stability. Municipal elections and the renewal of one-third of the Senate are now overdue, although we note the President's recent remarks that these elections are of high priority to his Administration. We trust that these will take place as soon as possible, especially since the Secretary- General's report reminds us that the outgoing Senators' terms expire in May. I would also like to take a moment to comment on the status of the Provisional Electoral Council.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“On 9 January, we were encouraged by President Martelly's pledge before Parliament, as he announced his priorities for the year, to seek close coordination with all branches of Government. Of particular importance was an agreement with the filegislative branch regarding, among other aspects, the appointment of a Prime Minister. Unfortunately, our optimism of some months ago has been mitigated by the recent resignation of the Prime Minister and the mounting tensions between the legislative and the executive branches. We therefore meet today as events continue to unfold in a context of greater political uncertainty, as outlined in paragraph 55 of the Secretary-General's report. Some slightly more encouraging aspects were indicated by Mr. Fernandez.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2012/128) and welcome his Special Representative, Mr. Mariano Fernandez, to New York. We commend him for his endeavours. For many years, we have followed the evolving situation in Haiti and have been a formal stakeholder, given our participation in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as a troop contributor. However, this is our first statement on the matter as a member of the Security Council. Haiti, of course, faces many challenges, which were only compounded by the legacy of the horrific earthquake of January 2010. Addressing those challenges requires a comprehensive approach, but today I would like to focus on three areas of special concern. First is the matter of political stability. The year 2012 began with promise.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“The establishment of local administrations capable of providing basic services to their local population will be essential. Finally, we know that Somalia is endowed with an adequate base of natural resources, including one of the longest shorelines in Africa. The sustainable management of these resources must benefit the local population. We know that piracy and armed robbery on the coasts of Somalia are largely a consequence of the lack of economic opportunities for its population. That is why we are pleased that the economic development of Somalia is a key item on the agenda of the forthcoming Istanbul conference.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Allow me now to highlight some points about the security strategy. We are encouraged by events on the ground and by the areas recently recovered. We are grateful to all partners for their sustained support to Somalia, in particular those whose personnel have made the supreme sacrifice in helping to stabilize the country. We reiterate that financial support to AMISOM. must be predictable. At the same time, we believe that the capacity-building of Somalia's security forces is essential, and that these continue to work side by side with AMISOM. We are encouraged by the fact that Mogadishu is experiencing an environment of stability that is increasing day by day. The presence of Mr. Mahiga and his team there attest to that fact. We fully support expanding and implementing the stabilization plans to the recovered sectors.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“The Security Council must remain vigilant to the compliance with these deadlines, since postponing the end of transition would represent a step backwards. We hope that the new Government of Somalia that will assume power after 20 August will be more representative and inclusive of the Somali people. We appreciate that 30 per cent of the representatives in the new Somali Federal Parliament will be women. We are concerned about the tactics of one group of parliamentarians in not recognizing the Principles and road map that emerged from the second Garowe Conference, as noted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mahiga in his briefing. We appreciate the efforts made by Mr. Mahiga and by the United Nations Political Office for Somalia to help these tasks be completed.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Therefore, we understand that the next six months will be critical to the political trajectory of Somalia, and a rigid discipline on the part of the authorities and civil society of the country, as well as the strong support of the international community, will be required if this highly ambitious timetable is to be met. Both the London conference and the recently adopted resolution 2036 (2012) - which strengthens the operations of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) - demonstrate the commitment of the international community to supporting the national process in Somalia. This is adequately reflected in the documents that came out of the first and second Somali National Consultative Constitutional Conferences held in Garowe.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“The London conference undoubtedly raised Somalia's profile in the international community, and generated good prospects for meeting the schedule established for the transition period. We believe that Somalia is facing a challenge akin to that of a marathon runner, since the drafting of the constitution must end by 20 April and its adoption completed on 22 May. Following that, on 15 June we expect the new Somali Federal Parliament to be formed and, as if that were not enough, the general elections are planned to be held on 20 August.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, we congratulate the United Kingdom on its assumption of the presidency of the Council and thank it for having organized this meeting. We also reiterate our gratitude to the delegation of Togo for its outstanding management of the presidency in February. We would like to thank Mr. Henry Bellingham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, for presiding over this meeting and to congratulate him for the successful conference held in London a few days ago. We also extend a warm welcome to Special Representative of the Secretary- General Augustine Mahiga, an ex-colleague and esteemed friend, who joins us through cyberspace.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Efforts must be made to address the underlying causes that generally arise on land. Although we acknowledge that progress has been made in the ongoing discussions in the region and we recognize that assistance from the United Nations and the international community is needed, we believe that concrete steps must be taken, such as the holding of the regional summit of States of the Gulf of Guinea on piracy and the continuation of the joint maritime patrols. In conclusion, my delegation is ready to contribute to international efforts to implement effective cooperation among States in tackling the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“We believe that all progress must be made on the basis of the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a subregional integrated coast-guard network in West and Central Africa. That memorandum serves as the basis for the national and regional action plans that should be drawn up by the States of the region in order to expeditiously implement the creation of the subregional integrated coast-guard network in West and Central Africa. Finally, the threat that the problem poses to the stability of the affected countries and to the potential for trade in those countries to bring about economic development and the subsequent eradication of poverty is a cause for concern. We agree with the Secretary- General that the fight against piracy must not be limited to attacking the problem at sea.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“The lessons learned and best practices that may arise from the ECCAS maritime security strategy can help the initiatives put forward by ECOWAS to be more on point and more effective in the fight against piracy and in achieving the needed maritime security, despite the lack of existing resources. We believe that the Gulf of Guinea Commission should be composed of more West African countries in order to fulfil its goal of serving as a bridge between both economic communities. We invite ECOWAS and ECCAS to continue their efforts to work together and formulate the broad and integrated regional strategy needed to fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, in close collaboration and coordination with the Gulf of Guinea Commission and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“The expected regional summit of the States of the Gulf of Guinea on piracy should receive all the necessary support from the international community, as it has the potential to jumpstart and accelerate the efforts and different initiatives in order to better coordinate the procedures that the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are endeavouring to set up. The goodwill and readiness of the affected countries to address the threat is not in question, but the lack of resources for implementing those various initiatives and the weakness of institutions are indeed worrying.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“In addition, we echo what was said by the representative of the Gulf of Guinea Commission on the necessity for the Security Council to use more precise terminology, since the Council has sometimes used the terms "piracy" and "armed robbery at sea" as if they were interchangeable. When piratical acts are committed within the territorial waters of a State, they are not qualified as piracy under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but instead as armed robbery at sea. The report before us suggests that we are mostly dealing with the latter. We therefore believe that greater attention should be paid to the precise context and circumstances of each situation, as well as to standards shared by all the countries in the region.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Special attention must be given to countries such as Benin because, due to the intense fight against piracy initiated by neighbouring countries, the problem has spread to the most vulnerable countries of the region. That is why efforts such as the joint maritime patrols being carried out by Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Chad can potentially serve to share the burden and fight the scourge effectively. The fight against the phenomena of transnational organized crime, armed robbery at sea and piracy surpasses the national capacity of affected countries to eradicate them. It is therefore both a threat to the stability of the entire region as well as a collective responsibility. The response to those threats jeopardizes socio-economic development, international trade and foreign investment in the region.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“We take note of the recommendations contained in the report and believe that efforts at the national, regional and international levels are necessary in order to address and fight the phenomenon of piracy. The Gulf of Guinea is home to countries that have abundant natural resources and basic goods. Those resources and their trade represent the livelihoods and source of employment for millions of people, and they will not cease to be an attractive target for criminal acts until a strategy to fight against them is put in place. The growing number of recorded cases of armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea constitutes unequivocal evidence that the problem must be addressed with holistic initiatives and strategies of a regional nature.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting to address the growing problem of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. I also welcome the presence of Mr. Lynn Pascoe here today and thank him for his briefing on the issue. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General for his report (see S/2012/45), which both contains the results of the United Nations assessment mission and forms the basis for today's debate. We also express thanks for the briefings that were made by Mr. Abdel Fatau Musah and Mrs. Florentina Adenike Ukonga. The mission to which I have just referred was needed in order to assess the extent of the threat of piracy and evaluate the national and regional capacity to safeguard maritime security in the region.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“We hope that in future their deployment can be expedited so as to effectively comply with the mandate of that resolution. Finally, we reiterate our support for the United Nations campaign against sexual violence in conflicts and for the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy with regard to personnel of peacekeeping missions. We also encourage Ms. Wallstrom to continue her visits to the field, and we commend her five recent visits and the agreements reached with the Governments. We trust that in this task she will engage with regional bodies to coordinate actions at the highest possible level.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“We also believe that the Council should systematically consider sexual violence in armed conflicts when authorizing or renewing mandates of United Nations peacekeeping missions. Moreover, we should guarantee the participation of women in the solution and prevention of conflicts. Rehabilitation and reconstruction are important parts of the efforts for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Guatemala supports the idea that women should play a greater role in the good offices work and in mediating controversies. We encourage the Secretary-General to appoint more qualified women as special representatives and special envoys. We are concerned by the delay in the deployment of women's protection advisers in peacekeeping operations. Such advisers were approved in resolution 1888 (2009).”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“We must work to strengthen the administration of justice, both civilian and military, so that the perpetrators and those responsible are brought to justice. It is imperative to obtain firm commitments to prohibit sexual violence on the part of the high-ranking commanders of armed forces, and the armed groups, and to adopt codes of conduct that prohibit sexual violence. We strongly agree with the specific recommendations in the Secretary-General's report. We must increase the pressure against those responsible for acts of sexual violence in conflicts. In that regard, we commend the list of parties and even of individuals that are credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for systematic rape and other forms of sexual violence during armed conflicts and in post-conflict situations.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“12-2393] We applaud some of the conceptual advances contained in the Secretary-General's report in proposing a more detailed characterization of the scope of conflict-related sexual Violence, based on analysis of cases and trends of some twenty situations on the ground. That offers better elements for preventive measures and the eventual use of early warning systems and for improving access to services for victims - or, to use the term of the report, survivors - of this scourge. We are aware of the diverse consequences of armed conflicts, which increase the likelihood of sexual violence. It cannot be denied that factors such as the fear of reprisals, insecurity, social stigma and the lack of prompt services for victims often prevent such crimes from being reported. Moreover, we must fight the perception that it is futile to report them.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Moreover, such crimes often include deeply rooted discriminatory practices, sheltered by a culture of impunity. Among many other aspects, they constitute grotesque Violations of human rights, with grave consequences for individuals, families and societies. Over the past three years the Security Council has been working to strengthen collective measures to combat sexual violence in armed conflicts. The adoption of resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) underscored the Council's commitment to fight the utterly unacceptable violence and terror that women suffer because of sexual Violence during armed conflicts. The work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has been crucial to this effort.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): I am grateful to the Togolese presidency for convening this open debate on sexual violence in armed conflict, as well as to Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, for her presentation of the Secretary-General's report (S/2012/33), which informs us in a more detailed manner regarding the situation on the ground on this subject. We are also grateful for the interventions by Mr. Herve Ladsous and Ms. Amina Megheirbi. We recognize that the mandate to combat sexual Violence in situations of conflict is a very complex one. When such crimes are perpetrated against women and girls in a massive and systematic way by armed groups, they have the aim, among other aspects, of punishing, humiliating and destroying the fabric of society.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“The United Nations has become a better institution, as a result not only of the work done there, but also of the lessons learned from that country. Its evolution has thus been a shared success. In that same vein, I wish also to recall the memory of the late Sergio Vieira de Mello, one of the pioneers of the United Nations presence in Timor- Leste. Allow me to conclude by thanking President Jose Ramos-Horta for his encouraging presentation. It is true that Timor-Leste is a Security Council success story, but, more important, it is a success story for the Government and the people of Timor-Leste.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6720 (2012) · source
“Guatemala believes that the continued presence of the United Nations after the withdrawal of UNMIT must be consistent with the situation on the ground and respect the priorities of the Government to be elected in the coming months. Timor-Leste is endowed with sufficient natural resources. The proper management of those resources will be essential to its sustainable development. Greater investment will be required in areas including education, youth employment, health and agriculture. We echo the call made by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haq, who urged national institutions to resolutely combat corruption and to send a clear message that such practices will not be tolerated. We would like to acknowledge the important role that the United Nations has played in Timor-Leste since 1999.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6720 (2012) · source
“We know that the support of the international community will still be needed after UNMIT's withdrawal, particularly to consolidate Timor-Leste institutions that are still in the process of formation, such as the police, a sector in which the United Nations has heavily invested. In that regard, we welcome the Joint Transition Plan signed by the Government of Timor-Leste and UNMIT. Its effective implementation will ensure a smooth transition. We are encouraged by Timor-Leste's increasing incorporation into the international community. An example is its efforts to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which we hope will be successful. This will undoubtedly be a platform that will benefit not only the Timorese but also the international community as a whole.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6720 (2012) · source
“We congratulate President Ramos-Horta on his leadership and for the progress made in his country. We also thank bilateral donors and the international security forces for their continuing commitment to peace and stability in Timor-Leste. We are aware that the consolidation of democracy and the building of a system of governance are a long- term process. Although there are many challenges to overcome, the political, economic and security situation in Timor-Leste bears witness to the goodwill and resilience of the Timorese. The Security Council is following closely the electoral process, and it is encouraging that so far steady progress has been made, which will ensure a peaceful and credible political process.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6720 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to begin by welcoming the President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta. His serene but firm defence of human rights - which, among other things, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize - have been a source of inspiration to many of us. Similarly, we appreciate the information provided by Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). We commend her leadership and efforts in support of that country. The year 2012 is very important, as it marks the tenth anniversary of the restoration of Timor-Leste's independence. The achievements made in that brief time deserve recognition, and we are glad to share this historic moment with that country.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6720 (2012) · source
“The United Nations should focus its efforts on the following key elements, namely, legislative reforms, capacity-building for judging and bringing to trial cases of piracy, effective implementation of the law and improvements to the prison infrastructure in Somalia and in the States of the region. In that respect, Guatemala supports the establishment of specialized courts for piracy committed off the coast of Somalia. Finally, we believe it is important to take into account the position of the Transitional Federal Government and of the Somali people. At the same time, as part of its programme of institutional enhancement, Somalia must update its legal framework and should adopt a package of anti-piracy laws before the end of the transition period.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“That joint initiative between the Government of Guatemala and the United Nations strengthened the entire judicial and prosecutorial system in our country and gave rise to a culture of combating impunity. In order to avoid impunity and to discourage new attacks, it is essential to achieve appropriate and speedy trials of those suspected of acts of piracy and to ensure their post-trial imprisonment. We fully support increased assistance from the United Nations to the States of the region to build the necessary capacities to bring pirates to trial and, in the event, to imprison them.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“On the other hand, we believe that this debate is linked to resolution 2036 (2012), which was adopted this morning, and to the consultations that we have been holding with regard to the future operations of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Any initiative that supports stabilization in Somalia will have an impact on the illegal activities that are taking place off its coasts. We are aware of the fact that Somalia cannot address piracy in isolation and that, over the past few years, the phenomenon has taken on a regional dimension. In that regard, Guatemala can contribute its own experience. For, although they are different phenomena, we have been able address the fight against impunity with United Nations support by establishing the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“We note that the percentage of recorded pirate attacks decreased in 2011 thanks to the combination of effective measures including, among others, naval operations and the institution of improved anti-piracy management practices on the part of the shipping industry itself to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. We believe that the report provides a basis for moving forward towards establishing an effective system for trying and imprisoning pirates. It is important to analyse in detail the constitutional and legal framework for establishing new anti-piracy tribunals and for defining their potential material and procedural bases, taking into account the multiple problems that the issue poses.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Patricia O'Brien, for her detailed presentation of the Secretary-General's report (S/2012/50). We would also like to express our thanks for the briefing that was given by Mr. Yuri Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We commend the efforts that have been undertaken to date by the Secretary-General, together with the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Special Adviser on Legal Issues Related to Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Those measures have allowed a considerable enhancement of the capacities to enforce the rule of law and to find a solution to such a complex issue.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“In addition, it needs to offer alternatives for those who live in the shadow of illicit activities, both the leaders of cartels as well as the great number of individuals who make their livelihood from these activities due to a lack of better opportunities. I trust, Mr. President, that those lessons drawn from our experiences in Central America will be useful to your own region.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“But our preference is to address that phenomenon with a broader approach, including a strong component of alternative strategies to encourage economic agents to devote themselves to profitable and lawful activities. Finally, precisely because of what was I said in connection with the previous point, responding to organized transnational crime requires an integral and holistic approach. It should be tackled from the supply and the demand sides of the traded goods and services. It requires strengthening our security and justice institutions for criminal prosecutions and holding people accountable.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“It is supported by the close collaboration of Mexico and Colombia, as well as the cooperation of bilateral and multilateral donors. All of that is undertaken in the framework of the Central America Integration System (SICA). In the fourth place, transnational crime, whose purview in the United Nations tends to be concentrated in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, impacts on virtually all the activities of our Organization. That is why it has been a subject of concern in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, some of the subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social Council and, of course, the Security Council, depending on the issues under consideration. It is a cross-cutting issue that, among many other aspects, has the potential to disturb international peace and security.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“In the third place, combating transnational crime is a highly propitious field for interregional cooperation, whether it be in West Africa or in Central America. When a group of small States faces that phenomenon, logic dictates closing ranks and cooperating to face a common challenge. For example, in our case, the Central American Governments have adopted a regional security strategy. The strategy includes four components, namely, fighting crime, preventing crime, strengthening institutions and the rehabilitation, reinsertion and management of penal systems. A Central American security commission has been established to follow up on the execution of the specific projects that are part of each of the components I have mentioned.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“Guatemala has an interesting experience in having associated the United Nations, the Government of the country and the donor community in establishing the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). As to international covenants and standards, just as an illustration, we are a party to the Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and to the three international conventions against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. As is known, the Security Council itself as well as the General Assembly have made contributions to limiting illegal transactions in diamonds, especially when the proceeds of their trade fuel armed conflicts. All of that is a result of international cooperation.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“That brings me to my second point, which is that if the illicit activity is of a transnational nature, it must be tackled through actions that combine robust responses in each country together with a strong element of international cooperation. Although it sounds like a truism, it is nevertheless true that the countries that serve as the main markets encouraging the activities of criminal cartels are co-responsible for the phenomenon of transnational crime. As a result, they should also take responsibility in responding to that scourge. Cooperation takes on a broad range of forms that ranges from cooperation to strengthening local capacities to international covenants and standards.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“They tend to be low- or medium-income countries, with relatively weak justice and security institutions and large contingents of low-income people, who are consequently susceptible to the temptation of exposing themselves to activities outside of the law, as well as a culture of opaqueness in financial management. Furthermore, in smaller economies the magnitude of resources managed by transnational criminal cartels has a relatively heavy weight, which facilitates the cooptation - or, alternatively, intimidation - of those people who can facilitate their illegal activities. The phenomenon does not always constitute a threat to peace and security, although clearly it has that potential in some cases.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“The first point is precisely that. Although our attention today is focused on West Africa and the Sahel region, we could just as well be discussing my own region, Central America. In other words, transnational organized crime is a universal problem, whereby numerous low- or medium-income countries are transformed into transit points of illicit activities, be they drug trafficking, human trafficking, contraband of stolen durable goods, trafficking in precious stones or others. The phenomenon has some common characteristics, the main one being the vulnerability of the affected countries. Those countries tend to have a geographical location that favours the moving of illicit goods and services from their source to the market for their final consumption.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source